TV station posts bogus prison term for ex-Walker aide

Eager to get the jump on Thursday's sentencing of a former aide to Gov. Scott Walker, a Milwaukee television station erroneously posted a story saying the one-time staffer had been ordered to spend the rest of her life behind bars.

"We're not trying to outdo The Onion," said Jim Hall, general manager for WDJT-TV (Channel 58), labeling the mistake "regrettable."

Darlene Wink, who worked for Walker when he was Milwaukee County executive, was sentenced late Thursday to a year's probation, 50 hours of community service and $1,000 in fines. She pleaded guilty last year to two misdemeanor counts of doing campaign fundraising work while on the county clock.

Earlier in the day, Channel 58 posted on its website a four-paragraph story written with the headline "Ex-Walker aide sentenced to life in prison."

The story said Wink, 62, received the draconian sentence for the pair of misdemeanors on Thursday morning and would not be "eligible for extended supervision until 2065."

How's that for tough on crime?

Hall, the station's general manager, explained that staff members simply mixed up the details of two different stories. Also sentenced on Thursday was Eduardo Ivanez, who was convicted of stabbing a 15-year-old girl to death. He was sentenced to life behind bars.

Staffers removed the Wink story from its website as soon as they realized the mistake. The story can still be viewed here.

About Daniel Bice

Daniel Bice is a Watchdog columnist covering Wisconsin government and politics. His “No Quarter” column has won a National Headliner Award for best local interest column.